On Pentecost Sunday, Br Peter Gbertyo SDB made his Perpetual Profession in Chertsey. Mass was presided over by Fr John Dickson SDB, Rector, and was live-streamed on Facebook, enabling Br Peter's family, friends and confreres to join in this joyful celebration with him.

Fr John told Br Peter, 'We are so delighted that you decided to share these last two years with us, and today, you come to the culmination of the first stage of your Salesian profession.' Br Peter has spent two years in the community at Chersey while completing his Masters degree and professional qualification in social work at Royal Holloway, University of London. Fr John spoke of how impressed his confreres have been by Br Peter's dedication and commitment, to his studies and social work practice, and to the community's life of prayer.

In his homily, Fr John said, 'As a Salesian community here in Chertsey, we are indeed privileged to share this profound moment of personal and vocational commitment ... what we are to witness today, in this profession, is a veritable Pentecost event.'

At the end of this very moving Mass, Br Peter spoke to his community and to all those watching online, expressing his gratitude to God, 'for this journey which started about ten and a half years ago, when I first approached the Salesians in Nigeria for what we call a "Come and See" ', and thanked his parents, who brought him up in the faith.

He thanked the GBR Provincial for hosting him in the Province, and told the Rector and confreres in Chertsey, 'you have welcomed me into your community, made me feel at home, and supported me through my studies.' He also expressed his gratitude to his home Province, AFW (Anglophone West Africa) for all they have done during his formation, and was grateful for all those who had gathered online to celebrate with him, including his siblings and his mum, and all of his friends. He said their messages, prayers, emails and texts has helped to bring him this far. 'All I can say is thank you,' he concluded.

Congratulations, Br Peter, our prayers remain with you.

The video is available to watch on Fr John Dickson's Facebook page, here.